Fun Holiday Traditions
Posted on December 12, 2014
My children whine about decorating the Christmas tree every year. They hang 3 ornaments and then lie down under the tree with the dogs claiming exhaustion. So one year my husband and I decorated the tree alone and they were very upset!! Turns out that the tradition matters a lot to them, despite the whining!!!!
My very favorite thing about the holidays is the family traditions that we have created over the years. It is the traditions, more than the gifts that truly give meaning to the season. Traditions are also a way for our family to show our appreciation for each other and to honor those loved ones who have passed. Our traditions provide meaningful and cherished memories that we pass on from generation to generation. Following are a few favorites that I will share:
My youngest child’s school made place mats one year and sent them home for Thanksgiving. The placements are collages of all the things the children were thankful for that Thanksgiving. We have continued that tradition and each child makes their own place mat that we use for setting our dinner table on Thanksgiving Day. During our Thanksgiving Meal we all take turns talking about what we are thankful for and our wishes for the New Year.
The day after Thanksgiving we go to the Parade of the Big Balloons in downtown Springfield. After we go home and make hot cocoa and watch a holiday movie! Sometimes we even put up our tree on Thanksgiving weekend.
When it comes to gift buying for our extended family, we put all the names into a hat. Each of us pulls one name out of the hat and that is who we will buy a present for that year. We set a dollar limit each year too. We keep the name we selected a secret. The gifts are wrapped and mailed. After we open our gifts we try to guess who our secret Santa was!
The week leading up to the Christmas we bake dozens of holiday cookies. The kids choose the best ones that we will leave out for Santa and we put those aside. We put the rest of the cookies in gift bags and take them to work and school with us to share with our friends. The kids love to make a ginger bread house too; we use it as our center piece on the dining room table.
Christmas Eve we also make special reindeer food that we sprinkle on the front lawn Christmas Eve to make sure that the reindeer get something to eat too. Before bed we take out the special cookies we made for Santa and pour some milk for him. At bed time we all pile into my bed and read The Night Before Christmas.
Keep in mind that family traditions can be as simple as you want them to be! Here are some great activities that you can do as a family right here in Western Massachusetts:
11th Annual Hot Cocoa Walk/Run, December 7, 2014
Benefits Safe Passage. A 5k Run and 2.5k Walk through downtown Northampton
The Hot Chocolate Run is a community celebration of Safe Passage, the Hampshire County organization addressing domestic violence. The Hot Chocolate Run has grown dramatically since its first year in 2004. This year, we expect 5,500 participants in our 5K run and 2.5K walk. Every runner and walker will enjoy a mug of homemade hot chocolate at the finish line! Participants join us year after year for a fun and festive start to the holiday season.
Dinner with Dickens Tuesday, December 9th and Thursday, December 11th at 5:30pm
Enhance your Bright Nights experience with Dinner with Dickens. Guests will be greeted by carolers from the grand Victorian era, welcoming them to the historic Barney Carriage House. They will be served a sumptuous buffet dinner and hear Charles Dickens’ tale of Ebenezer Scrooge, Bob Cratchit and Tiny Tim. For more information visit or to make reservations call 413-733-3800 or visit staff@spiritofspringfield.org.
Supper with Santa, December 12th and December 14th
Bring the kids to enjoy dinner with Santa! SEATINGS are at 5:30PM – 6PM – 6:30PM – 7PM
Pre-Paid Reservations Required. For more information contact Spirit of Springfield (413) 733-3800 or staff@brightnights.org
Horse-Drawn Wagon or Carriage Ride Through Bright Nights at Forest Park
The wagon and carriage departs approximately every half hour starting at 5:30PM and with the
last departing at 9PM Friday & Saturday and 8:30PM on Sunday.
Tickets available at Bright Nights Gift Stop – Concession Stand. For more information contact the Spirit of Springfield at (413) 733-3800 or staff@spiritofspringfield.org
Take some time off from wrapping gifts and take my quick weekly quiz and claim your reward. Act now before they are all gone!
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